Page 47 of Captive Hybrid

I’m so sorry for everything I put you through. I wish you knew how much I’ve regretted it. Every day, Zenna. Yes, I am undoing the fuck out of it. If you’ll have me.The last words are tinged with raw, vulnerable hope.

‘What are you doing out here?’ A low voice drawls.

I yelp, nearly jumping out of my skin. I whirl to face Godric, just a few paces from me, his dark eyes gleaming in the low light.

‘I, uh, was just—’ Heart hammering, I seem to be at a loss for words. I fight back the pain in my head, lest he sense something about the bond.

A muscle twitches in his jaw. ‘Where is Aidan?’ His voice is low, a reprimand, as though I’m a lost pet, let loose from their leash.

‘I—the Dome, I guess.’

‘Come with me.’ Godric turns and starts down the hallway.

So much for my alone-time to talk to Divina. And Mordecai—

As he turns a corner, Godric pauses, staring at me. ‘You don’t know how lucky you are that I found you before someone else did.’ He reaches out, grasping my forearm. ‘You are easy to identify. Don’t wander off on your own again.’

‘Why not?’ Something inside me stirs, angry, and I feel the urge to push his buttons. ‘If Drusilla wants me alive, what will you do to me? Kill me?’

Godric bares his teeth and shoves me against the wall, my shoulder blades pressed against the hard stone. ‘Stupid girl,’ he growls. ‘Imagine if it were Callen who had found you, wandering around alone like a lost little lamb. He wouldn’t have hesitated to drag you into the nearest empty room, Zenna. Do you want to know what he would do, then?’

Something about Godric’s voice, low and serious, makes me unable to break his gaze. Worry. There’s caution there. A real warning.

Without my responding, he continues, ‘He wouldn’t have to tie you down. No, he’s much stronger than you, and forget about calling for help. Who do you think would come running? No one. Callen would take his time with you, if he could. Assuming he wouldn’t lose control if you’re too delicious. He would bite your wrist first, I think, to get a taste. The neck is better, but is too likely to kill if we’re not careful. I’m sure you would squirm and scream, but he would only bite down harder, you see. After only moments, you would quieten, dizzy from blood loss.’

‘Stop,’ I breathe. Panic grips me. Even if Godric weren’t holding me up against the wall, I wouldn’t be able to move.

‘No, you need to learn,’ Godric says. ‘Callen plays with his food, you know. He would take hours, even days to drain you.’

Tears well in my eyes. I turn my head away.

‘I won’t go into further detail,’ Godric hisses, ‘I will let your imagination fill in the blanks, but I assure you, anything you come up with, the reality would be worse.’

Tears slide down my cheeks. I try to pull away. To my surprise, he lets me yank myself free.

‘I am escorting you back to Evelyn’s.’ He takes my hand and gives a little squeeze.

I startle, my gaze snapping to his, eyes wide.

‘You’ll get yourself killed wandering around alone, I promise you that. Now, calm your racing heart, little hybrid, for every vampire around can hear that blood of yours pumping through your body.’ Godric leads me silently back to Evelyn’s.

I don’t know how he knows his way. This time I try to pay attention, but no details stand out to me. I wish I could open my mouth to ask him, but it seems to be glued shut.

Mordecai taps on the bond, trying to communicate with me, but I block him.

Not now.

My mind is numb with fear as I go over and over what Godric had told me. Callen, or almost any other vampire in this place, wouldn’t hesitate to kill me. Of course, I should know that.

When we pause at the front door, Godric sets his hands on my shoulders. ‘Find a way to keep yourself calm. Racing hearts are much easier to hear.’ He gives a little squeeze, then raps on the door.

Aidan whips it open. ‘Where have you been?’ He wraps his large arms around me, hauling me inside. ‘Thanks, Godric.’ He faces me. ‘Don’t ever wander off alone!’

I burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

‘Already had that talk,’ Godric says. ‘Keep her closer.’

Aidan nods, closing the door with a sharp lock, then wraps his arms around me. ‘Sorry,’ he murmurs. ‘You scared the hell out of me. You ran off so fast I didn’t know which way you went. Evelyn’s out looking for you. She wanted me to stay here in case you found your way back.’ He pushes back, holding me at arm’s length. ‘I know you don’t exactly trust us, but believe me, we are your friends compared to anyone else out there, despite Drusilla’s orders.’

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